National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems

What is the mission about?

The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), initiated by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), aims to establish India as a leader in the emerging Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) sector. Approved by the Cabinet in 2018, this five-year initiative addresses critical areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Machine Learning (ML), Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity. By creating a network of 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) across premier institutes, the mission fosters collaboration between academia, industry, government and international organisations driving technological advancement and commercialization.

What are the mission's Core Objectives?

Boost CPS research: Transform foundational research into real-world, commercially viable technologies.
Establish leadership in CPS: Propel India to the forefront of CPS technologies, alongside global leaders like the US and Germany.
Skill development and job creation: Produce skilled professionals to meet the growing needs of CPS technologies and generate employment.
Foster entrepreneurship: Support the development of CPS-based start-ups through incubators and accelerator programs

Which Stakeholders can Participate?

Startups: Participate in incubation and acceleration programs within the Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs). These hubs focus on creating commercial-ready products from CPS research.
Academia: Universities and researchers can collaborate with TIHs to drive R&D, focusing on CPS innovation across various domains such as AI, IoT, and Robotics.
Industry: Industry partners are encouraged to join the mission, collaborate on pilots, and implement CPS solutions in areas like manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities.
Investors: Opportunities exist to invest in start-ups incubated within the hubs, providing seed funding for cutting-edge CPS technologies.

What is the Budget of this mission?

The NM-ICPS is supported by a budget of ₹3660 crores over five years. This funding covers the establishment of TIHs, R&D projects, entrepreneurship support, and skill development initiatives.

What use cases are applicable to this mission?

The NM-ICPS is designed to address critical societal challenges through CPS technologies in multiple sectors:

Healthcare: CPS solutions in diagnostics, medical robotics, and telemedicine can transform the healthcare landscape.
Agriculture: Precision agriculture using IoT sensors and drones for smarter farming techniques.
Infrastructure & Environment: Smart grid solutions, water management, and CPS systems for environmental monitoring are high-impact areas Department of Science and Technology.

Please describe the emerging Use Cases & Solution Roadmap?

1. Healthcare:

CPS in Diagnostics: Smart diagnostic tools leveraging AI and machine learning are being developed for early disease detection, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited. Remote monitoring and telemedicine systems, powered by CPS, enable real-time data analysis, making healthcare more accessible.
Medical Robotics: Robotic-assisted surgeries and rehabilitation tools are emerging as crucial CPS applications in advanced healthcare. These systems offer precision, minimize errors, and improve recovery rates.
Data-Driven Healthcare Systems: CPS-based platforms are helping to manage large-scale healthcare data for better decision-making in hospitals and health centres Department of Science and Technology.

2. Agriculture:

Precision Farming: Use of IoT sensors and data analytics to optimise water use, fertiliser application, and crop health monitoring. These smart systems enable farmers to track soil conditions and predict crop yields, reducing resource wastage.
Drone Surveillance: Drones equipped with sensors provide real-time aerial views of large farming areas, offering insights on crop conditions, irrigation levels, and early pest detection Department of Science and Technology.

3. Infrastructure & Environment:

Smart Grid Management: CPS-driven smart grids allow for better monitoring and control of energy distribution, improving efficiency and reducing power wastage. AI is used to predict demand spikes and optimise grid performance.
Water Management: CPS solutions are being applied in the monitoring of water quality and usage, especially in urban environments. These systems help governments and municipalities optimise water distribution and reduce wastage Department of Science and Technology.

4. Smart Cities:

Autonomous Transport Systems: The development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is one of the high-profile applications of CPS in smart cities. With AI, these vehicles can navigate complex urban environments safely, reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
IoT-Driven Urban Monitoring: Smart sensors are deployed across cities to monitor air quality, traffic patterns, and public safety. These CPS solutions enable cities to manage resources more efficiently and respond to emergencies proactively Department of Science and Technology.

5. Industry 4.0:

Cybersecurity for Industrial Systems: CPS technologies play a crucial role in ensuring the security of connected systems in industries such as manufacturing. Smart factories use IoT and AI to monitor operations, identify anomalies, and prevent cyberattacks in real time.
Robotics in Manufacturing: Advanced robotics systems powered by CPS are used in smart factories to automate tasks such as assembly, packaging, and quality control. These robots collaborate with human workers, enhancing productivity and safety Press Information Bureau.

6. Quantum Computing:

Quantum Technologies: Several TIHs are working on building India's quantum computing capabilities, with potential applications in cryptography, drug discovery, and material science. This is an emerging use case for CPS where interdisciplinary research is driving the development of next-generation computational systems Department of Science and Technology.

What are the possible Solution Stages?

Early-stage (0-2 years): Focus on prototyping and testing new solutions for smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and IoT-based agriculture.
Middle-stage (2-10 years): Deployment of CPS technologies in industries like healthcare, agriculture, and defense.
Advanced-stage (10+ years): Global-scale commercialization of CPS solutions in domains like cybersecurity, energy grids and quantum computing Press Information Bureau.

What could be some of the Product spaces?

Key products being developed include AI-driven diagnostic tools, autonomous transportation systems, cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, and smart manufacturing systems Department of Science and Technology.

What are Funding Mechanisms?

Funding for startups, academia, and industries participating in the mission is primarily channelled through the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and distributed via Technology Innovation Hubs Department of Science and Technology.

What has been the Progress So Far in brief?

550 technologies developed.
12,000 jobs generated.
50,000 trained professionals in CPS technologies.
Over 1400 scientific publications and 100 collaborations with global organisations Press Information Bureau Department of Science and Technology.

General FAQs

1What is CPS?

CPS integrates computing, networking, and physical processes to create systems like autonomous vehicles and smart grids.

2How can startups participate?

Startups can access incubation and acceleration programs at Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs), where they can collaborate with researchers and commercialise CPS innovations.

3What role does academia play?

Academic institutions collaborate through R&D projects at the TIHs, with a focus on solving national problems using CPS technologies.

4What funding mechanisms exist for industry participation?

Industry partners can secure funding through joint research projects with TIHs, particularly in sectors like smart manufacturing and cybersecurity Emerging Technology Boost Department of Science and Technology.

Detailed FAQs and Exploration for Entrepreneurs, Academia, Investors, Industry

Entrepreneurs/Startups

1How do I apply for incubation or funding under NM-ICPS?

Startups can apply through the TIHs for incubation, mentorship, and funding. Each hub specialises in a particular CPS domain and offers networking opportunities with industry leaders and VCs.

2What kind of support is available for CPS-based start-ups?

Startups receive access to research labs, prototype development assistance, and funding through SERB and DST. Early-stage entrepreneurs also get help with patent filing and commercialization.

3Are there any international collaboration opportunities?

Yes, NM-ICPS fosters global partnerships with leading CPS research institutes, enabling startups to access international expertise and markets.

Academia/Researchers:

1Can I collaborate with multiple Technology Innovation Hubs?

Yes, academic researchers can collaborate with multiple TIHs, leveraging resources and expertise across domains like AI, quantum computing, robotics, and more.

2What kind of research grants are available for CPS projects?

Academic institutions and individual researchers can apply for grants through TIHs or DST's SERB to fund their CPS-related projects, including translational research and product development.

3How is the mission driving skill development in CPS?

Universities participating in NM-ICPS offer specialised courses and training programs in CPS technologies, aiming to bridge the skill gap in the Indian workforce.

Industry/Corporations

1How can my company collaborate with TIHs for CPS research?

Corporations can participate in joint R&D projects with TIHs to develop sector-specific CPS solutions, like smart manufacturing and cybersecurity. Additionally, companies can sponsor research in areas aligned with their strategic goals.

2What tax or funding incentives are available for companies involved in CPS research?

Industry partners receive tax benefits and funding support for CPS innovation projects, particularly in areas of national importance such as healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities.

Investors/VCs

1What sectors are most promising for CPS investment in India?

Key sectors include healthcare, smart cities, autonomous vehicles, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. Each of these areas has a strong foundation within NM-ICPS, with startups emerging across the country.

2How do I invest in CPS startups under NM-ICPS?

VCs and angel investors can partner with TIHs to fund promising startups, participate in demo days, and gain early access to breakthrough technologies

More FAQ for Participants

1How are start-ups selected for incubation under NM-ICPS?

Startups are evaluated based on the alignment of their technology solutions with the mission’s goals, as well as their market potential and team expertise.

2How do academia and industry collaborate under the NM-ICPS framework?

TIHs serve as the connecting point for academia and industry to collaborate on R&D, pilot projects, and commercialization of CPS solutions.

3What are the key areas of investment for venture capitalists?

Investors should focus on CPS-based sectors such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, AI-driven healthcare solutions, and quantum computing.

4Can international organisations participate in NM-ICPS?

Yes, NM-ICPS encourages international collaborations, offering access to India’s innovation hubs, while also benefiting from global expertise in CPS.